The announcement of a detailed framework paper for Pakistan’s flood recovery and rehabilitation came from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday.
It will take three years to complete the strategy, he said in remarks to the United Nations (UN) International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan.
The prime minister urged financial assistance for Pakistan from the rest of the world.
“The most important link for this framework will be the financial resourcing,” he said. “The plan is broad and it will be presented in next session of conference.”
The framework will be divided into two parts, with the first section concentrating on flood recovery and reconstruction and the second phase prioritising highway and railroad reconstruction as well as the installation of a warning system.
“Pakistan’s ability to recover from the large-scale disaster will hinge on speed of these actions and your support will make huge difference,” said the PM.
Citing a disaster needs assessment created by the Pakistani government in October 2022, he claimed that the financial toll of the floods on Pakistan is $33 billion, or 8% of the nation’s GDP.
“One can go on and on about the records broken by the disaster but we are racing against time. The relief work is not over yet especially in parts of Sindh and Balochistan” he said.
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According to the PM, agricultural estates in Sindh have not yet had their water drained.
“We need to give the affectees their future back,” he stressed.
PM Shehbaz praised the friendly nations for providing prompt money, which helped save thousands of lives and restore communication in the damaged areas.
He also praised Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the UN, for organising the meeting.
Speaking at the ceremony, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto pleaded with the world community to support the nation as it works to “build back better” after the floods.
He expressed gratitude to all nations that provided Pakistan with financial aid and humanitarian aid in an effort to combat the flood catastrophe.
“The magnitude of disaster is huge and we are prioritising resilient recovery and reconstruction,” said Bilawal.
“The government of Pakistan has worked with UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and European Union to prepare a comprehensive framework document for flood recovery and rehabilitation.”
According to Bilawal, Pakistan would fund half of the framework with its own resources, and the other half will be funded by foreign aid.
“We will indulge in rebuilding and rehabilitation of homes, roads, bridges and infrastructure and we will need support of international partners.”
